Roadworks Lifted Or Suspended Over Christmas And New Year

Last updated : 19 December 2018 By CNS Sport

With nearly 150 EFL matches taking place over the festive period, the EFL has welcomed a decision by Highways England that will make travelling to games easier for those dedicated football supporters planning their trips nationwide.

To help ensure journeys are as smooth as possible, Highways England has taken the call to lift 200 miles of roadworks over the period of Friday 21 December to Wednesday 2 January, with more than 97 per cent of motorways and strategic A roads set to be roadworks-free in time for Christmas.

So whether you are a Swansea City fan travelling to Hull City on 22 December, or a Doncaster Rovers fan heading to Gillingham on 29 December, your drive to the match is less likely to be disrupted by roadworks.

The decision to lift roadworks has been welcomed by EFL Chief Executive Shaun Harvey, he said: “Football remains a much-loved staple of the festive period and EFL Clubs play a significant role in bringing together friends and families up and down the country as they follow their favourite team. 

“With almost 150 EFL matches scheduled between Friday 21 December to Wednesday 2 January, the EFL welcomes the decision taken to lift or suspend roadworks on England’s motorways and A-roads over Christmas and New Year – something that we hope will make the lives of thousands of fans travelling up and down the country that little bit easier.”

Where it is safe to do so, roadworks will be lifted or suspended on England’s motorways and major A-roads by 6am on Friday 21 December until 12.01am on Wednesday 2 January.

Highways England’s customer service director, Melanie Clarke, said:

“We’re doing everything we can to make journeys as smooth as possible for this Christmas getaway and that’s why we’re keeping more than 97 per cent of our road network free from roadworks.

“We know that the Christmas period is one of the busiest times on our roads and we’d also like to remind people about the importance of checking their vehicle before setting off on their journeys.” 

Highways England has a dedicated webpage where drivers can find more information about tailgating and what they can do to stay safe.